Washboard



May 7, 1929. 4FQMARTIN, sR

wAsHBoARD Filed Feb. 5, 1927 Hmm Patented May 7, 1929.

UNITED STATES FREDERIC MARTIN, SR., OF COLUMBUS, OHIO. i

WASHBARD.

Application led February This invention relates to improvements in wash boards, and has for an object the provision of a wash board involving substantial and durable features of construction and wherein an improved arrangementof parts is provided for effecting the holding of bar soap used in connection with the board `and to permit of the draining of soap solutions from said holding means onto the rubbing surface or plate of the board so as to avoid waste of the soap and to assist in permitting the board to remain in a clean sanitary condition.

Another object of the invention resides in constructing a wash board to include a cross bar or member, which constitutes an.

essential part of the frame of the board and which is utilized to serve as a ledge upon which the bar soap is retained when not in active use, and also as a means for securing rigidly the upper edge of the rubbing plate to and within the frame. Y

` The invention particularly consists in constructing and arranging the said cross meinber 0r bar so that the outer surface thereof lies substantially in the same vertical plane as the outer surface of the associated rubbing plate, so that when clothesor fabrics are being rubbed on the board, the said cross member will offer no obstruction to the rubbing operation, will not interfere with the lingers or hands of the laundress and will occupy a position permitting the entire area of the rubbing plate to be utilized as a rubbing element, a feature which can not be accomplished when the soap supporting cross bar of the frame projects outwardly beyond the surface of the rubbing plate and offers an obstruction in the path of free unrestricted rubbing strokes or movements.

A further object of the invention resides `in constructing the cross member to include `a longitudinally extending groove in its front face which groove communicates withV a slot arranged along the upper surface of the cross bar and by means of which soap drippings are permitted to pass through the slot and to travel `longitudinally through said groove liowing downwardly along the curved face thereof ontothe rubbing plate, where such drippings may be utilized without waste. y

y till, a further object of the invention resides in providing the4 wash board with a metallic brand board, which constitutes a 5, 1927'. Serial No. 166,215.

part of the soap receptacle, and Vwherein this metallic braml plate is provided with oilfset flanges, receivable within `grooves provided in the frame construction ofi the board, the arrangement being such that the brand plate will occupy a position flush larrangcments of parts,hereinafter to be fully described and pointed out in the appended claim. i

ln the accompanying drawing:

Figure l is a perspective view showing a wash board comprising` the present invention,

view,

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view,

Figure 4L is a detail perspective of the brand board.

Referring more particularly to the drawings the numeral l designates my improved wash board in its entirety. This board comprises a frame consisting of vertically extending transversely spaced siderails 2 having the inner surfaces thereof formed with sockets 3 `for the reception of upper and lower cross members or bars A and `5 respectively and forthe reception of the vertical edges of a metallic rubbing plate G. The upper ends of Athe rails are suitably joined with a top bar 7 so that a rigid frame construction is produced. r

The upper cross member i in this instance is formed to include a longitudinally eX tending recess 8 along the lower side thereof for the reception ofthe upper edge of the rubbing plate 6, while the upper portion of the bar t is formed with a second longitudinally extending recess 9 in which is positioned the lower edge of a metallic brand plate 10, which is also secured in connection with the side rails 2 and the top bar 7. The ends of the cross member l are positioned within the upper ends of the sockets 3 and are suitably secured therein by means of fastening devices l1. l

In this instance the cross member @l is so constructed that its outer surface l2 lies in a plane substantially flush with the rubbing 'Figure 2 isa vertical transverse sectional plate 6,.so that the said upper cross member,

and'this is true also in respect to the lower crossmember 5, W1ll not offer an obstruction to the laundress when fabrics are being moved upwardly and downwardly Vover the surface of the rubbing plate. It is a `common practice in wash board manufacture to form t-he cross members, particularly the upper cross member, which acts as a soap supporting ledge, so that the same will project outwardlysome distance beyond the surface of Y the rubbing1 plate. -lVhen this is done the natural tendency on the part of a laundress is rto diminish vthel length of the rubbing stroke, so that the hands will not contact with and be injured by the outwardly projeeting portions of said cross members. 'As

f aV-result of this the effective length of the n p usually in a semi-soft condition and the present invention provides means whereby this soft. dripping'soap may be directed upon the rubbing surfaces of the plate 6. To this end the surface l2 is provided with a longitudinally extending groove 13, which vinf cludes a substantially horizontally extending vupper Wall and a convexedand curved lower wall. This groove is in communication with a forwardly and-downwardly inclined slot 14 which opensatit-s' vlower end into the f'groove713. and opens at its'upper end into 5 the soap pocket; ,Byrthis "construction it `will 'be seen that the Ysoap drippings are directed'into the slot- -14and thence into the groovel, andthe curvaturefof the walls of the slot and pocket is such that the drippings are permitted tospread over the surface of the bar et so as to be substantially uniformly distributed over thc full width of the rubbing plate. It will be observed by thisl construction that provision is made for utilizing the soap to a maximum extent, preventing Waste thereof and at the same time a structure is presented which will not interfere with the movements of the user of the board.

By reference to Figure 4 it will be observed that the brand plate '1.0, which is formed from a single integral stamping, is constructed to include marginal flanges 10fl which are receivable within corres[mmlingly flat recesses provided in the bar 4, the side rails 2 and the top bar 7, the plate 1() beingr inserted in its operative position before the top bar 7 is finally fixed in place. The, inclusion of the metallic plate l() materially simplifies the process of manufacturing the board, produces a dee )er soap receivingIr pocket and enables the plate to be positioned -flush with the rear surfaces of the board as shown particularly in Figures 2 and 3.

What is claimed is:

In a wash board, a frame comprising a pair of transversely spaced parallel side rails having recesses in the inner opposite surfaces thereof, a transversely extending cross bar uniting said rails at a point intermedia-te their length, said cross bal' heilig provided with a longitudinally extending recess, a to bar secured to the upper ends of said rais, and provided with a longitudinally extending recess, a rubbing plate mounted in said frame, and a metallic brand plate provided with angular marginal flanges offset therefrom, said flanges having outer portions fit-ting within the said recesses o n said rails, top bar and cross; bar, and said flanges having the inner portions thermf fitting against'the inner faces of the side rails, the cross bar and top bar.

In testimonywhereof I aflix my signature.

FREDERIC MARTIN, SR. 

